Britney Spears Nears Deal For 'The X Factor'

I hear that Britney Spears is close to a deal to join Simon Cowell on the judging panel of The X Factor in Season 2. Spears had been in talks for the gig for over a month, but I hear that the two sides are now headed for the final stretch after a big breakthrough over the weekend when major deal points were agreed upon. As we previously reported, following an initial discussion, the pop star received a $10 million offer to join the second season of Fox’s singing competition. I hear that her actual salary will end up being more than that, probably closer to $15 million and possibly exceeding the $12 million Jennifer Lopez received on American Idol last season. Cowell and Fox had focused on getting Spears on board before moving to filling the other vacant judge chair on the show. The recruitment of Spears would bring the star power Cowell & Co. had been looking for after their decision to replace first-season X Factor judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger.

In his courtship of Spears, Cowell has been effusive in his public praise for the Toxic singer as a prospective X Factor judge. “I’m fascinated by Britney,” he said during a radio interview with Billy Bush in February. “The fact that she’s one of the most talked about — not just pop stars but people — in the world today, means that you’ve got this star power. This girl has resilience. I would think that if she’s managed to sustain a family, a career, which is tough, (X Factor would be) a walk in the park. I would be fascinated to hear what she has to say. She’s still hot, she’s still having hit records and she’s still controversial. There’s a reason for that.”

34 Comments

Archer • on Apr 10, 2012 6:13 pm

Swarovski studded straightjackets are expensive, ya know!

JJ • on Apr 10, 2012 6:13 pm

Britney definitely gives X-Factor the A List judging name it needs but there’s still a lot of work to do. LA Reid needs to re-watch last season and see how many times he babbled incessantly while failing quite hard at being funny throwing digs at Simon. You’re a music man LA not a comedian. Cowell needs to also look at the talent they’re putting through. Nicole’s group was painfully bad while Cowell himself picked unlikable low level talents Simone Battle and Teah Tolliver and then pushed the awkward Drew and Disney escapee Rachel on us for weeks on end.

Of course that still leaves the next judge and host(s) left to be filled. Seeing that last year he hired Sherzinger to co-host and then placed her as a judge after the idiotic removal of Cheryl Cole I’m worried that the bagging of Britney is a fluke.

777 • on Apr 10, 2012 6:13 pm

If there’s one more seat to be filled, how about ” Josh Groban “? He has an incredible voice and would make a great judge on the show in knowing how to choose ” true talents “. Have you heard of Josh Groban or listen to his music? His voice is BEAUTIFUL!!! There’s also Celine Dion who is a true talent that you can choose from, but you probably would like Josh because he’s younger….they both CAN SING! Britney is good because she will draw an audience, but the next seat bring on a ” real singer ” who can sing the roof off the building, after all the show is about finding singing talents….I love Josh Groban, you should bring him on the show to judge….Britney is a good addition to the show for personality, but bring on one true talent judge who can really sing and discover other talents. Good luck!!!

Elvis • on Apr 10, 2012 6:13 pm

Josh Groban??? Celine Dion??? Snore…

Sara Jones • on Apr 10, 2012 6:13 pm

Josh Groban is THE MAN! He’s a funny and nice guy but I think he could be candid, yet honest. He’s one of the most amazing singers or his or any generation. Josh’s music style bends toward classical but he has a wide range of music he enjoys and is very well versed on many of genre’s of music. Plus, he’s beautiful!

HT • on Apr 10, 2012 6:13 pm

That’s great news. She’ll be terrific for the show. I really enjoyed the first season (despite some obvious weaknesses that Cowell appears to be addressing). I would love to see him surprise people and bring Paula Abdul back again. Probably won’t happen, but I think they have good chemistry together.

Burkiss • on Apr 10, 2012 6:13 pm

How about Cheryl Cole?

JJ • on Apr 10, 2012 6:13 pm

Sadly Cheryl recently stated that while she loved her time on X-Factor she wouldn’t be returning. Cowell effed up axing her and replacing her with C List Sherzinger.

I want Paula back. I don´t care who the other judge is, as long as s/he is better than Nicole Sherzinger. They should also replace L.A. Reid, IMO. Didn´t like him at all.

Mick • on Apr 10, 2012 6:13 pm

Britney Spears and live television are they kidding?
Out of all the names I have heard mentioned I thought Latoya Jackson sounded the most interesting.
I saw her on Wendy Williams turns out she kind of funny.

Tulse Luper • on Apr 10, 2012 6:13 pm

I think they should get the entire Kardashian Family to judge that show. It couldn’t be any more boring than it already is and those girls get ratings.

BRETT • on Apr 10, 2012 6:13 pm

Funny…and batshit insane.

dee123 • on Apr 10, 2012 6:13 pm

People will tune in if Britney is there.

The same way people slow down to look if there’s an accident on the side of the road.

Just Me • on Apr 10, 2012 6:13 pm

…do you mean Janet Jackson?! I mean, what kind of rock are you living under if you think the name LaToya Jackson has ever been considered in this decision?!

Fabian • on Apr 10, 2012 6:13 pm

Brit will be a good addition to the show. It was so dull last season and just a total mess. She has always been funny in interviews, SNL, and whatnot, so hopefully she’ll had some much needed personality to the show and spice it up!

INterested Observer • on Apr 10, 2012 6:13 pm

Is the fourth judge expected to be a woman?

Jarred • on Apr 10, 2012 6:13 pm

I wish they didn’t fire Paula Abdul. Britney was a star but she’s gonna be boring. Can’t imagine her doing the show without a script writer. I’m not excited about her at all.

fred • on Apr 10, 2012 6:13 pm

it seems strange that her conservators are allowed to work an ajudicated menatally incompetent person like they do her: records, world tours, tv shows. it seems like she should be relaxing or having a job no more stressful than filling jello bowls or something.

Danny • on Apr 10, 2012 6:13 pm

So does her conservatorship have final say over all of her judging picks?

Her dad needs to let her have control over her life.

Jake • on Apr 10, 2012 6:13 pm

She’ll give them an uptick in the ratings initially (like Ashton did on 2.5 Men), but these talent shows have almost run their course, so they’ll just continue to fall.

American Idol kicked off its current cycle in the mid 7s and now its in the 4s (last week hitting series low 3.9).

X-Factor began its 1st cycle in the mid 4s, by the end it was in the upper 2s.

Nothing can stop their descent, these stunts can simply help slow it down a little.

hmm • on Apr 10, 2012 6:13 pm

Paula Abdul needed to get fired. They need viewers to not closely associate this show with American Idol so having Paula next to Simon reminds viewers of 2006. The pairing of Simon and Paula was interesting almost 10 years ago and did not turn into a ratings success for X-Factor. Their banter is tired, uninteresting and redundant. Paula also made some baaaaad choices in whom she kept/let go as a mentor so if she’s not adding/developing strong talent then she’s not doing her job.

Cheryl Cole won the UK version twice out of three times and is a gorgeous charmer. She would’ve been the X-Factor the show needed and not the been there/seen that Abdul and the I Can’t Make A Solo Career For Myself Nicole.

ORBlue • on Apr 10, 2012 6:13 pm

Spears? You have got to be kidding. OK. There is not a mother in the house that is going to allow her kids to watch the show. Does anyone ever think that video of Spears is readily available and probably BANNED on every kid under 13’s computer. That is your target group that will be cut out of the viewing population. As for my age group, I don’t know anyone that would watch if Spears is in the mix. TOO much bad press, TOO many meltdowns in public

Anonymous • on Apr 10, 2012 6:13 pm

interesting how they think that ‘star power’ is the key to success here. neither randy or paula were A list stars when american idol started. somehow i don’t think that is the solution. people are just getting idol fatigue.

Anonymous • on Apr 10, 2012 6:13 pm

Love the accompanying photo where Simon caught up with her working the drive-thru at In-N-Out.

Tycho • on Apr 10, 2012 6:13 pm

Competition shows… where fading stars go for one final glow.

MMorningstar • on Apr 10, 2012 6:13 pm

Well, I’m officially “out.” I liked the show, but do not like Britney Spears. She has a “Minnie Mouse” voice and is very annoying anywhere except while performing on stage. Paula was the best and should not have been fired.

Mike • on Apr 10, 2012 6:13 pm

Britney Spears lip-syncs her live shows and SHe is going to judge ANYone?! This is just stunt casting. They can debut new singles/albums of hers on XFactor etc… If someone comes in with an incredible voice Britney will have to be excited for them because she cannot sing without AutoTune!

Patrick Gray • on Apr 10, 2012 6:13 pm

This is the ingredient this show needs to dethrone American Idol in both buzz and ratings. Now for the second judge seat give it to P!nk. She is not afraid to speak her heart and also has a past relationship with L.A. Reid.